Beverage container filling head

ABSTRACT

A beverage container filling head including a valve means is provided for controlling flow of fluid through the filling head and an electrically conductive probe extends longitudinally of the filling head. The probe is adapted to be moved an adjustable distance as a separate member from a retracted position within the filling head to an extended position where it projects from the filling head to contact liquid in an associated bottle and control termination of the bottle filling action.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,783,912 Friendship 1 1 Jan. 8, 1974BEVERAGE CONTAINER FILLING HEAD 3,140,664 7/1964 Thornas 92/13 x3,343,539 9/1967 Moorhouse 222/309 [75] Inventor gg Fmndshlp Akron3,443,608 5/1969 Copping et a1. 141/46 [73] Assignee: A-T-O Inc,Cleveland, Ohio Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Filed: Dec. 1968Attorney-Oldham and Oldham [21] Appl. No.: 787,700 [57] ABSTRACT Abeverage container filling head including a valve [52] 11.8. C1 141/46,141/266, 141/301 means is provided for controlling flow of fluid through151 1 Int. Cl B65b 31/00 the filling head and an electrically conductiveprobe 1 1 Held 01 Search 33/113675; 3; extends longitudinally of thefilling head. The probe is 137/386, 392; 141/39, 40, 46, 48, 1,92, 198,adapted to be moved an adjustable distance as a sepa- 227, 228, 250,266, 301; 222/309 rate member from a retracted position within thefilling head to an extended position where it projects [56] ReferencesCited from the filling head to contact liquid in an associated UNITEDSTATES PATENTS bottle and control termination of the bottle filling ac-1,149,256 8/1915 Godfrey 14 227 2,377,796 6/1945 McKinnis 141/198 X 3Claims 3 Drawing Figures 2,390,443 12/1945 McKinnis .Q 141/198 3,126,7413/1964 Weber-Klein 137/392 X PATENIH] JAN 8 I974 sum 1 OF 2 FIGIPATENTEU JAN 81974 SHEET 2 [1F 2 INVENTOR. KENNETH F. FRIENDSHlPATTORNEYS.

BEVERAGE CONTAINER FILLING HEAD The present invention relates to fillingheads, and especially to filling heads used in automatically functioningmachinery adapted to fill a plurality .of containers, usually bottles,with materials, usually beverages, in a rapid, efficient and uniformmanner.

This invention relates to and comprises-an improvement upon theconstruction disclosed in US. Pat. Application Ser. No. 500,863, filedOct. 28, 1965 by Bruce G. Copping and Kenneth F. Friendship now PatentNo. 3,443,608, wherein an apparatus for filling containers withbeverages is disclosed. In general, many efforts have been madeheretofore to improve upon the functioning of container fillingapparatus, and particularly for filling bottles rapidly with beverages.It is very important that the filling heads be rapidly movable to andfrom engagement with containers or bottles for filling the same, asusually the bottles remain on a rotatable turntable and the fillingheads are individually brought down to engage the bottles, and are laterindividually released. Inasmuch as some of these filling machinesoperate through, for example, complete filling cycles per minute, it isseen that it becomes a difficult problem just to move the filling headsto and from engagement with the bottles in the required rapid manner. Atthe same time, efforts are continually being made to speed up theoperation of these machines so that if any simplification oftheapparatus can be made, or if the motion of the filling heads be improvedor simplified to be more easily controlled, such a development would bean .appreciable step forward and aid in providing an effective, morerapid filling cycle.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved filling head which is characterized by the presence of anaxially positioned probe in the filling head movable a selected distanceindependently of any movement of the other elements therein.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the extent of movementrequired in a bottle or article filling head to change it from operativebottle engaging position to an inoperative bottle release or dischargeposition.

Other objects of the invention are to insure that the apparatus of theinvention will only function when a satisfactory counterpressurecondition has been established in the container to be filled; to provideelectrical controls for terminating filling action when a probe providedin the filling head is contacted by the beverage indicating apredetermined filled height in the container; to provide a common fluidpower supply for actuating both a beverage input control valve and aprobe extension piston or means in the filling head; to position a probeso that it can be moved vertically independently of any movement of theframe of the filling head; to provide a lightweight unit for controllingthe probe position and to move the entire relatively heavy filling headassembly only a short distance vertically in the ap paratus but topermit an independent and greater length of vertical movement in theprobe whereby the probe can be moved axially of the filling head to aretracted position and to an extended position for operative engagementwith a bottle and the contents thereof; to provide an improved fillinghead having desirable operating characteristics; and to provide alightweight, novel filling head unit which will function rapidly andefficiently with a minimum of maintenance thereon.

In general, the present invention, as one embodiment thereof, relates toa filling head used in apparatus for filling articles with beverage andcomprising a frame having a bottom portion for engaging the top of anarticle, which frame has a tubular section therein in which a valve seatmeans is provided and a tubular valve means having a bore slidablypositioned in the tubular section for flow of beverage through the valveseat means when the valve means is moved to an open position. Beverageis supplied to the tubular valve means under suitable pressureconditions and the valve means is controlled to move to and from valveopen or closed positions. A probe is slidably positioned in the bore ofthe valve means and other means engage the probe to control the positionthereof whereby they probe can be moved vertically a desired,independently controlled distance in the filling head.

Reference now is made particularly to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section of a filling head embodying the' principlesof the invention showing it in opera tive bottle engaging position priorto the discharge of beverage therefrom;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of a portion of the fillinghead of FIG. 1 and indicating the probe in its extended, operativeposition; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings andreferred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used tofacilitate comparison therebetween.

With particular reference to the details of the structures shown in thedrawings, a filling head is indicated as a whole by the numeral 10,'andsuch filling head may be considered to have as portions thereof apositioning means 20 and a control means 30. The particular inventionrelates to details of certain portions of the filling head 10, and itshould be noted that the positioning means 20 includes a suitable frame22 that has a tubular, vertically extending section 24 therein in whichthe components forming certain novel elements in the filling head 10 areassembled and/or secured.

In the actual container filling machine with which the filling head 10would be used, a plurality of individual filling heads normally would besuitably attached'to a frame, usually, at the circumference thereof incircumferentially uniformly spaced relationship. Each of these fillingheads 10 would have associated therewith one of the positioning means 20and this positioning means 20 has the vertical position of its frame 22controlled by suitable means such as an arcuate cam 26 that extendsaround a portion of the circumference of the machine with which thefilling head is associated. Hence, through a part of the rotary movementof the frame or machine on which the filling heads are positioned, thecam 26 is adapted to engage a cam roller 28 suitably attached to andcarried by a lower portion of the frame 22, which cam 26 also engages asecond cam roller 29 that is suitably secured to and extends from amember of frame 21 of the machine and forming a part of the individualpositioning means 24). In all events,.the engagement of the cam 26 withthe rollers 28 and 29 causes the movable frame 22 to be raisedvertically a short distance and this in turn moves the lower end of thefilling head 10 out of engagement with the upper end of the neck or topof a bottle B indicated in the drawings after the bottle has been filledin the cycle of operation of the machine. This movable frame 22 includesa cylindrical section 25 which has a closed lower end and which, ineffect, provides a closed end cylinder in which a cylindrical projectionor member 27 is telescopically received so as to provide an air springaction between the cylindrical member 27 and the adjacent lower closedend of 'the cylindrical section 25. A port 127 connects the cylinder 27to the interior of the section 25 whereby the entrapped air or other gasprovided in the chamber formed therebetween will normally tend to movethe movable frame 22 and the members carried thereby downwardly to theposition of FIG. 1. However, verticalupward movement of the assembly canbe provided by compression of the entrapped gas as by the cam 26engaging the associated cam rollers whereby a limited vertical movementupwardly for the filling head and parts carried thereby is provided whenthe cam raises the movable frame 22 and cylindrical section 25.

With reference to the controls 30, the fixed frame 21 carries at theupper end thereof a control switch 31 that connects to suitable controlmeans 100 by leads 103 and 104 for control functions, depending uponwhether the switch 31 is in its closed or operative position. Thepositioning of the switch 31 is regulated by means of a piston rod 33that extends from the switch 31 and is movably associated therewith andwith the piston rod 33 engaging a suitable diaphragm 34 associated withthe switch. A counterpressure from a bottle or other article to befilled as hereinafter described is transmitted to the lower surface ofthe diaphragm 34 by gas introduced into the fixed frame 21 and a chamberformed therein adjacent the piston 33 by a supply line or conduit 36, ashereinafter described, that extends from the fixed frame 21 to thebottle being processed, and is in operative communication with the borethereof. Pressure is provided to the fixed frame 21 below the diaphragm34 through a bore 35 that connects to a tube 37 that extends to a sourceof counterpressure gas. Pressure fluid for the lower face of thediaphragm 34 flows through a bore in the fixed frame 21 from a valve 38which is shown in a closed position and which connects to the bore 35. Acontrol cam roller 39 is slidably positioned in the fixed frame 21 andis moved to the right to the position shown in the drawings by a memher140 operatively engaging the cam roller 39 at one portion of therotation of the apparatus with which the fillinghead 10 is associated.Such movement of the cam 39 moves the valve 38 to its closed positionbut when the member 140 releases the cam, a spring 141 moves the valve38 to the left to an open position. The valve 38 is opened when thefilling head 10 is moved to bottle engaging position. At such time,pressure gas flows through the valve 38, past the diaphragm 34, and toand through the conduit 36 for flow to an engaged bottle to fill it withcounter-pressure gas as later described herein.

The actual beverage flow control means in the filling head of theinvention are positioned in the tubular section 24 provided in themovable frame 22. A lower end sleeve 40 is attached to the lower end ofthe tubular section 24 by a lock nut 41 that engages a shoulder 42provided on this sleeve 40 and which lock nut 41 is threadably engagedwith the movable frame 22. A pressure reducing center block 43 is alsopositioned within the tubular section 24 and an upper end block 44 isre- ,by the lower end of the lower end sleeve 40 for sealing engagementwith the bottle B when the filling head 10 is moved downwardly a shortdistance, or otherwise brought into engagement with such bottle B. Anysuitable valve means in this instance including a tubular valve seat 48is provided in the counterbored upper end 49 of the sleeve 40. Flow ofbeverage through the filling head 11) is controlled by a tubular valvemeans 50 which is slidably positioned within the filling head 10. Thedrawings clearly show that an enlarged tubular lower end section 51 isprovided in this valve means 50 and such end carries a pair of sealingmembers, such as O-rings 52 and 53, adjacent the upper and lowerportions thereof and which have sealing engagement with the bores of thecenter block 43 and the lower end sleeve 40, respectively, as shown.However, a plasticto-metal seal is formed at the lower end of the centerblock 43 by complementary shapes including an inclined shoulder 150 onthe valve means 50. The enlarged end 51 also has a plurality ofsubstantially tangentially directed bores or apertures 54 formed thereinfor beverage flow therethrough as hereinafter described. Beverage orother liquid being processed is supplied to the filling head 10 througha conventional supply line or tube that connects to a conventionalsource of beverage under relatively high pressure, such as, for example,about 75 psi. The beverage flows through the tube 60 and a connectingbore formed in the movable frame 22 into an annular distributing chamberor member 61. The pressure reducing center block 43 has a multiplehelical thread 62 formed on its periphery and these multiple threadshave the upper ends thereof connecting to the distributor chamber 61 atcircumferentially spaced portions thereof whereby beverage will flowinto the various threads 62 into the spaces defined by the threads inrelationship to a spacer sleeve 63 positioned around this threadedportion of the center block 43. The beverage thus flows through themultiple threads 62 under pressure reducing conditions and a helicaltype of a flow pattern is concurrently established in the beveragewhereby when the plurality of ports or apertures 54 in the slide valvemeans are brought into horizontal alignment with an annular space withinthe spacer sleeve 63 but below the lower end of the center block 43,beverage being released from the threads 62 will then flow in acontinuing helical or centrifugally directed path through the bores orports 54 into and axially downwardly of the enlarged lower end 51 of thetubular valve means 50. A vertical, relatively short discharge path ofuniform dimensions is provided in the lower end sleeve 40 for thebeverage when the tubular valve means 50 is moved to its lowermostposition.

The position of the tubular valve means 50 and whether or not it is inits open or closed position is controlled by a suitable member, such asa piston 64, that is suitably attached to the valve means 50 adjacentits upper end. This piston 64 is slidably received in a chamber 65formed in the upper end block 44 and a coil spring 66 normally iscompressed between the piston 64 and the upper end of the center block43 to urge such piston and thus the tubular valve means 50 normally toits upper position, FIG. 1, where the valve is closed. Pressure foroperating the valve means 50 is supplied through a conventional inletfitting 67 attached to the upper end block 44 and communicating with thechamber 65 by a bore 68 drilled or otherwise provided in the upper endblock whereby when pressure is supplied to the fitting 67, the piston 64can be driven downwardly rapidly and the filling head is adapted todischarge beverage therefrom.

A probe 7% is also provided in the filling head 10 and it extendsaxially of the filling head for certain novel control functions and/ormovements, to be hereinafter described in more detail. In order toposition the probe and provide for independent movement thereof, anextension sleeve 71 is secured to the upper end of the upper end block44, as by a lock nut 72 engaging a shoulder 73 provided on the sleeve71, and in threaded engagement with the upper end of the end block 44.Such extension sleeve 71 has its bore'in communication with the centerbore of the filling head that connects to a container or bottle Bengaged by the filling head. The counterpressure gas can be supplied toa fitting 74 suitably attached to the extension sleeve 71 and to whichthe conduit 36 connects for passage of the counterpressure gas to orfrom such extension sleeve as hereinafter described. A probe positioningcylinder 75, usually electrically conductive, is attached to the upperend of the extension sleeve 71. by a lock nut or collar 76 engaging ashoulder 77 provided on the periphery of the cylinder 75 adjacent itslower end and which lock nut 76 in turn engages a threaded upper endportion of the extension sleeve 71. The drawing shows that the probe 70extends up into the cylinder 75 and the probe is sealed in relation tothe cylinder as by means of an O- ring 78 operably carried by aconductive plug 79 secured against the upper end'of the end block 4-4 bythe lower end of the cylinder 75. The plug 79 is likewise sealed on itsperipheral portion in relation to the extension sleeve 71 by an O-ring80. An elongate piston 81 is slidably received in the cylinder 75 and ithas a counterbored section or bore 82 provided in the lower end thereofand with a spring 83 being compressed between the upper end of thecounterbore 82 and the plug 79 whereby the piston 81 is normally movedto its uppermost or elevated position. The upper end of the probe 70 isoperatively secured to the piston 81 at an upper portion thereof, as bythe spring 3 forcing a washer 84 carried by the probe up against the endof the counterbore 82.

In order to control the vertical extended position for the probe 70, acontrol sleeve 911 is shown in threaded engagement with the upper end ofthe cylinder 75. The piston 81 has an integral axially extending rod 91projecting vertically upwardly from its upper end and extending throughan aperture in the upper end of the control sleeve 94). A stop orlimitation member, such as a washer or split ring 92, is secured to theouter end of the rod 91 whereby downward movement of the probe iscontrolled by the washer 92 bearing on the upper end of the controlsleeve 96. By adjustment of the position of the control sleeve 94 theextent of downward movement of the probe is thereby controlled. Pressurefor operating the piston 31 in the cylinder 75 is preferably obtained ina unitary manner with pressure for operating the tubular valve means inthe filling head and thus a fitting 93 is shown engaging the cylinder75. The fitting 93 is connected to the fitting 67 by a tube 94 and withan inlet 95 being provided in the cylinder 75 and connecting to thefitting 93 which in turnis adapted to receive suitable pressure fluidfrom a conventional supply sou rce thereof through a supply line 96.Hence, when operating conditions are established, operating pressurewill be supplied for moving the probe 70 a relatively long distance suchas about 2 to 3 inches in the filling head 10 while the tubular valvesleeve is moved only a short distance, such as one-half inch or so, toopen the filling head for beverage flow purposes. Thus, the probe 7t)can be extended several inches downwardly with relation to the lowerpart of the filling head and extend into a bottle a desired distance.The probe 70 normally is electrically conductive and has electricalcircuit and control means MW connected thereto by a lead 101. Hence,when a circuit is completed through the probe by it contacting beveragereceived within the container or bottle B, a control signal can be sentfrom the control means to suitable apparatus, such as a solenoid valve102, to terminate beverage input action by removing the operatingpressures on the pistons 64 and 81. The probe 70 is also then retracted.The frame 22 is grounded and the beverage flowing through the valve 50and to the bottle and collecting therein completes the circuit to theprobe. The switch 31 connects to the control means 100 by leads 103 and104 so that such control means can not be operative to open the solenoidvalve 102 for beverage flow until the desired counterpressure is set upin a bottle through the conduit 35 when the valve 38 is open.

While most of the components of the invention can be made from anysuitable material, the components adjacent or contacting the probe 70should be electrically non-conductive. Hence, it has been found that itis very desirable to make such members, such as the valve means 50, froma glass fiber impregnated resin composition of conventionalconstruction. Preferably a low friction, rigid plastic material is usedwhich can be machined and shaped to desired contours. The sleeve 71 andtube 94 are also insulators to separate the probe electrically from theframe 22.

Pressure to regulate action of the control switch 31, which is of thedifferential pressure type, is supplied to the upper side of thediaphragm 34, by a bore formed in a member 121 secured to the upperportion of the frame 21.

A suitable conduit 122 connects the bore 120 to a controllable source(not shown) of gas pressure.

A lower guide sleeve 97 made from a suitable insulat ing material issecured to the valve means 50 to protrude downwardly therefrom anddefine the inner portion of the flow path for beverage from the fillinghead. A guide collar 98 on the sleeve 97 slidably engages a lowerportion of the probe. Any other means as desired may be used to completethe beverage flow discharge path. Likewise, the control means lllll canconnect to the probe 70 in any suitable manner.

The fixed frame 21 is designed to receive a pin or bolt between spacedbosses on the frame to secure the filling head to the filling machine. Aresilient pad 131 is positioned on a part of the fixed frame to limitdownward movement of the movable frame 22.

By use of the apparatus shown, it is possible to move the entire fillinghead it a short distance, such as about an inch, in bringing it to andfrom operative engagement with a bottle, and the probe in the fillinghead can be given an independent, adjustable movement to extend into abottle a desired distance. The probe 70 is separately retracted from afilled bottle after the bottle is filled whereby the probe will notinterfere with bottle engaging and disengaging action as such motiontakes place when the probe is in the retracted position shown in FIG. 1.In the apparatus as shown, the probe is retracted simultaneously withtermination of the beverage input.

From the foregoing, it is noted that the objects of the invention havebeen achieved and that a novel improved filling head is provided.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particularembodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l. A filling head for apparatus for filling articleswith beverage and comprising a frame for engaging the top of an articleand having a vertically positioned tubular section therein,

means engaging said frame to move it vertically to and from engagementwith the top of an article po sitioned for filling,

a valve seat means in said tubular section,

a tubular valve means having a bore slidably positioned in said tubularsection for flow of beverage through said valve seat means when saidvalve means is moved to an open position,

means for supplying beverage to said tubular valve means and said valveseat means,

first piston and cylinder means operatively engaging said valve means tomove it vertically and control the opening and closing thereof,

an elongate probe slidably positioned in said valve means and extendingfrom both ends thereof, said probe having a portion extending downwardlyfrom said valve means into an article to contact beverage therein whenat a predetermined level, electric circuit control means for said valvemeans engaging means connected to said probe to be actuated whenbeverage contacts its lower end,

a second piston and cylinder means on said frame and operativelyengaging the upper end of said probe to control the verticalrelationship thereof to said frame and movement of said probe as well asthe length of such movement, said probe being adapted to be extendedbelow said frame, and

common pressure supply means operatively connecting to both of saidpiston and cylinder means for simultaneous actuation thereof butindependent movement of said probe.

2. A filling head for apparatus for filling articles with beverage andcomprising a frame for engaging the top of an article and having avertically positioned tubular section therein,

said frame being engageable with the top of an article positioned forfilling,

a valve seat means in said tubular section,

a tubular valve means having a bore slidably positioned in said tubularsection for flow of beverage through said valve seat means when saidvalve means is moved to an open position,

means for supplying beverage to said tubular valve means and said valveseat means,

first piston and cylinder means positioned in alignment with andoperatively engaging said valve means to move it vertically and controlthe opening and closing thereof,

an elongate probe slidably positioned in said valve means and extendingfrom both ends thereof, said probe having a portion extending downwardlyfrom said valve means into an article to contact beverage therein whenat a predetermined level, electric circuit control means for said valvemeans engaging means connected to said probe to be actuated whenbeverage contacts its lower end,

a second piston and cylinder means on said frame, and positioned inalignment with and operatively engaging the upper end of said probe tocontrol the vertical relationship thereof to said frame and movement ofsaid probe as well as the length of such movement, said probe beingadapted to be extended below said frame, and

common pressure supply means operatively connecting to both of saidpiston and cylinder means for simultaneous power actuation thereof toopen said valve means and to move said probe longitudinally downwardly.

3. A filling head as in claim 2 and including means for controlling thelength of movement of said probe, said pressure supply being a fluid andmeans to terminate supply of the pressure to said piston and cylindermeans for simultaneous movement of said probe upwardly and closure ofsaid valve means, both of said piston and cylinder means having springstherein to move them to non-actuated positions.

1. A filling head for apparatus for filling articles with beverage andcomprising a frame for engaging the top of an article and having avertically positioned tubular section therein, means engaging said frameto move it vertically to and from engagement with the top of an articlepositioned for filling, a valve seat means in said tubular section, atubular valve means having a bore slidably positioned in said tubularsection for flow of beverage through said valve seat means when saidvalve means is moved to an open position, means for supplying beverageto said tubular valve means and said valve seat means, first piston andcylinder means operatively engaging said valve means to move itvertically and conTrol the opening and closing thereof, an elongateprobe slidably positioned in said valve means and extending from bothends thereof, said probe having a portion extending downwardly from saidvalve means into an article to contact beverage therein when at apredetermined level, electric circuit control means for said valve meansengaging means connected to said probe to be actuated when beveragecontacts its lower end, a second piston and cylinder means on said frameand operatively engaging the upper end of said probe to control thevertical relationship thereof to said frame and movement of said probeas well as the length of such movement, said probe being adapted to beextended below said frame, and common pressure supply means operativelyconnecting to both of said piston and cylinder means for simultaneousactuation thereof but independent movement of said probe.
 2. A fillinghead for apparatus for filling articles with beverage and comprising aframe for engaging the top of an article and having a verticallypositioned tubular section therein, said frame being engageable with thetop of an article positioned for filling, a valve seat means in saidtubular section, a tubular valve means having a bore slidably positionedin said tubular section for flow of beverage through said valve seatmeans when said valve means is moved to an open position, means forsupplying beverage to said tubular valve means and said valve seatmeans, first piston and cylinder means positioned in alignment with andoperatively engaging said valve means to move it vertically and controlthe opening and closing thereof, an elongate probe slidably positionedin said valve means and extending from both ends thereof, said probehaving a portion extending downwardly from said valve means into anarticle to contact beverage therein when at a predetermined level,electric circuit control means for said valve means engaging meansconnected to said probe to be actuated when beverage contacts its lowerend, a second piston and cylinder means on said frame, and positioned inalignment with and operatively engaging the upper end of said probe tocontrol the vertical relationship thereof to said frame and movement ofsaid probe as well as the length of such movement, said probe beingadapted to be extended below said frame, and common pressure supplymeans operatively connecting to both of said piston and cylinder meansfor simultaneous power actuation thereof to open said valve means and tomove said probe longitudinally downwardly.
 3. A filling head as in claim2 and including means for controlling the length of movement of saidprobe, said pressure supply being a fluid and means to terminate supplyof the pressure to said piston and cylinder means for simultaneousmovement of said probe upwardly and closure of said valve means, both ofsaid piston and cylinder means having springs therein to move them tonon-actuated positions.